Yun Xi lifted her hand and received two message talismans, opening them one by one.
The first was from Yu Huo Zhēnjūn, summoning her to Dan Peak after her seclusion ended. The second was from Wei Chenyin, informing Yun Xi that she had returned to Fa Peak and asking her to come when she had time, saying she had something to discuss.
Yun Xi first replied to Wei Chenyin, telling her that Yu Huo Zhēnjūn wished to see her. She promised she would visit Fa Peak in an hour. After changing into the robes of a personal disciple, she left Lingxue Peak.
Yun Xi was no stranger to Dan Peak. Most of the disciples there had at least heard her name, so when they saw her, they would pause to greet her with courtesy. Yun Xi returned each greeting with a nod, never putting on airs.
When she reached the summit, a disciple guided her straight to the alchemy hall, where Yu Huo Zhēnjūn was already waiting.
Yun Xi stepped inside the private alchemy chamber reserved for Yu Huo Zhēnjūn, bowed respectfully, and greeted, "Disciple Yun Xi greets Martial Uncle Yu Huo."
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn looked at her with a smile, eyes filled with satisfaction. "So, Yun Xi has emerged from seclusion. Your cultivation has risen again."
Yun Xi returned his smile. "The sect's Qingye Pool truly lives up to its reputation. The spiritual energy there is so dense it condenses into liquid. With its help, I was able to push my cultivation to late Golden Core."
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn laughed heartily. "The Qingye Pool is indeed remarkable, but I imagine you paid quite a price in spirit stones and contribution points, didn't you?"
At those words, Yun Xi felt a pang in her chest. Her face scrunched up. "Martial Uncle, I'd almost managed to forget. I still owe the sect a hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones!"
She pressed her hand against her chest with mock distress.
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn's smile only grew broader. "Hao Qing Zūnzhě has always been strict. If you owe spirit stones, you can be sure every last one was turned into liquid in that pool for you to absorb. No need to complain."
"Yes, Martial Uncle. I understand. But still, it aches a little."
Yun Xi sighed in helplessness.
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn nodded and said, "Cultivation gained is never wasted. The matter I called you for concerns a newly revealed secret realm in the Baohua Mountains."
The moment Yun Xi heard "secret realm," her expression turned serious. "Martial Uncle, is it about to open?"
"Yes. The sect has received notice. One month from now, the Baohua Mountain Secret Realm will formally open. Each sect may select two hundred disciples to enter.
Of course, not only cultivators of our western region will be going. Disciples from the other four domains will also be participating. Each of their domains has eight hundred slots. The exploration will be a mix of all kinds—dragons and snakes alike.
The Sect Master mentioned that you were eager to take part. I'm informing you early so you can prepare. In about ten days, the sect will depart for the Baohua Mountains."
Yun Xi immediately bowed. "Disciple understands. I will prepare without delay."
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn cautioned, "The minimum requirement for entering this secret realm is Golden Core. Your cultivation is neither the lowest nor the highest. Above all, you must be cautious. Use every treasure your master gave you, even the ones you've been reluctant to touch. Nothing is more precious than your own life."
Yun Xi straightened and answered firmly, "Yes, Martial Uncle is right."
"That is all I needed to tell you. Normally, if you were entering any other secret realm, I would not say much. But this one is newly opened. No one knows what dangers lie within. That is why I took the liberty of reminding you, though it may not be my place."
Yun Xi quickly bowed again. "For Martial Uncle to offer Yun Xi such guidance is my fortune. How could this be overstepping? If my master learns of this, she would only be grateful."
"You little girl, always with the sweet tongue. Your master Yu Ling is the one who profits from it."
Seizing the moment while Yu Huo Zhēnjūn was in good humor, Yun Xi asked, "Martial Uncle Yu Huo, before I came here I met my cousin Wei Yunqing. She was flaunting her personal disciple robes, saying she had already taken a master. But I noticed she didn't come to Dan Peak. What happened?"
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn's smile thinned. His tone deepened. "Wei Yunqing looked down on me, a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn, and chose instead to apprentice under Zuo Qiu, who is on the verge of reaching Divine Transformation. I could hardly block her bright future, so I let her go. In any case, she was only a registered disciple here. One less doesn't matter."
From those words, Yun Xi could already tell that Yu Huo Zhēnjūn was displeased. She frowned."Martial Uncle, forgive me for speaking plainly. For cousin Yun Qing to become your registered disciple was already a great blessing. With her temperament and cultivation speed, how could Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn possibly take a liking to her, let alone risk discord with you over it?"
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn chuckled lightly. "Because there was profit to be had. Wei Yunqing presented him with a Dao Enlightenment Fruit, and in return, she received the title of personal disciple."
Yun Xi's brows knitted together. "Cousin is foolish. A Dao Enlightenment Fruit is an extraordinary spiritual fruit. The wisest choice would have been to let you refine it into pills. There was no need to seek so far afield. Unless…"
She paused, then continued before he could ask. "Unless this was the arrangement of Wei Clan's late Ancestor, Wei Nanfeng."
"Oh? If that's the case, then I'm not surprised. Back then, Zuo Qiu did go out of his way once to protect someone. That must have been the Wei Nanfeng you speak of."
Though Yu Huo Zhēnjūn was obsessed with alchemy, he was not blind to the world. He knew well the rumors that Wei Nanfeng had once tried to gift his clan's younger generation to Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn as a concubine. The matter had been hushed up, as it involved Nascent Soul elders. That there was still fallout now was not unexpected.
Yun Xi arched her brows, certain now that Yu Huo Zhēnjūn was aware of the matter. She continued,"Before his death, Wei Nanfeng sent a message to Yun Qing, saying he had found her a master. But he passed too suddenly to make the introduction. Because of this, she even suspected the clan of killing him, and once tried to direct her suspicions toward me."
Yun Xi shook her head as she spoke, her expression helpless.
Yu Huo Zhēnjūn chuckled. "Who she takes as her master is her own choice. As long as she doesn't regret it later, that's her burden. But Zuo Qiu is not someone easy to deal with.
That said, he truly is only a step away from Divine Transformation. With the Dao Enlightenment Fruit, he may break through. Still, once you return from the secret realm, your master should also have good news."
Hearing that, Yun Xi finally breathed easier. As long as her master succeeded in reaching Divine Transformation, she could still outshine Wei Yunqing. After all, Zuo Qiu was far older than her master, and even within the same realm, there were differences.
She bowed deeply. "Disciple remembers Martial Uncle's words. Thank you for your concern."
"Good. You know all you need to. Go prepare."
"Yes, Martial Uncle."
After offering her thanks, Yun Xi left Dan Peak and turned toward Fa Peak to meet Wei Chenyin.
Because she had sent word earlier, Wei Chenyin had already lowered the formation of her cave-dwelling to await her.
"Senior Sister Chen Yin, I made you wait."
Wei Chenyin smiled, waving her hand. "Not long at all. Come inside."
Once the two entered and the formation closed behind them, Wei Chenyin spoke first."Yun Xi, do you know that Wei Yunqing has taken Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn as her master?"
Yun Xi nodded. "I know. She came to flaunt it the very moment I stepped out of seclusion. I gave her a little lesson and sent her on her way."